Lake Garda Travel Guide
Lake Garda offers a wonderful holiday combination of relaxation, culture, natural scenery and it's the gateway to uncover some iconic gems of Italy.
Lake Garda is located in Northern Italy and it's the country's biggest lake. Lake Garda straddles three provinces, Verona, Brescia and Trento. A tranquil setting with magnificent landscapes, the region is surrounded by luscious green hills to the south and imposing mountains to the north. Charming villages dot the lake and the area boasts mediaeval towers, palazzi, narrow cobblestone streets, Renaissance churches, lemon groves, orange trees, vineyards and olive plantations. The lake is just over 50km long, 20 km wide and would take you about 3 hours to drive around its circumference (160km).
The region offers a variety of activities for holiday makers, enjoy a relaxing Lake Garda boat trip and visit the picturesque lakeside towns of Riva Del Garda, Malcesine and Limone, each with their own unique characteristics. Take a day trip to the Dolomites, perfect for hill walkers, nature enthusiasts and for those simply wishing to relax in the beautiful surroundings. Whichever town you stay in, it will provide a perfect base from which to take excursions to the top sights in Italy, Venice and Verona.
We've outlined some useful information below to help make your holiday to Lake Garda a memorable one. We recommend our Lake Garda, Venice & Verona tour for anyone looking to travel to this great lake.
Time Zone & Currency
Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) throughout the year. The currency in Italy is the Euro.
Weather In Lake Garda
Lake Garda is renowned for its mild and pleasant climate. The weather is most warm and dry in spring and autumn. Summers are warm and winter days can be cool.
Reading For Your Trip To Lake Garda
Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
The Metal Green Mercedes by Timothy Williams
Best time to go to Lake Garda
Lake Garda enjoys a pleasant, temperate climate for most of the year, with temperatures rising to around 30°c during the peak season of July and August. In spring and autumn, days are generally warm and sunny with cool breezes, making it an ideal time for sightseeing as well as relaxing.
Recommended Lake Garda Hotels
See where you'll be staying on our tours of Lake Garda.
Top Tourist Attractions In Lake Garda
Why you should visit Limone in Lake Garda
The town of Limone is another beautiful town from which to explore the beauty and history of Lake Garda. The heart of Limone old town is centred around its beautiful little harbour, the Porto Vecchio.
Virtual Tour of Lake Garda
Our expert guide Renate Tielman takes us on a tour of the beautiful Lake Garda. This virtual tour will take you from the moment you arrive at the airport, to the hotel and and some of the excursions that are included.
Food and drink in Lake Garda
The cuisine in Lake Garda reflects the traditions of Northern Italy, the food tends to be richer and heartier than that found in Italy’s Mediterranean regions, but no less delicious, with fine cheeses, cured meats, risottos and filled pastas on every menu. Some must-try dishes include:
- Freshwater fish from the lake: Drizzled with olive oil and juice from local lemons and accompany it with a glass of fragrant white Nosiola or Lugana wine.
- Risotto con la Tinca: A creamy risotto made with tench fish, flavoured with white wine and local herbs.
- Tortellini di Valeggio: Delicate pasta parcels filled with meat or vegetables, served in broth or with butter and sage.
- Polenta: A versatile dish often served creamy or grilled, paired with stews, game, or fresh fish.
- Carne Salada: A northern Italian cured beef speciality, thinly sliced and served raw like carpaccio or lightly cooked.
Lake Garda is also renowned for its wines, including fragrant Lugana or white Nosiola, perfect with fish dishes, and red Valpolicella or Bardolino, which pair wonderfully with Alpine meats.
Lake Garda Travel Guide FAQs
Is Lake Garda a good holiday destination?
Lake Garda is an ideal location for a relaxing holiday in Italy. There are lakeside promenades and pavement cafes where you can revel in the fresh air and sunshine and relax with an alfresco coffee or glass of local wine, surrounded by majestic mountain scenery. It’s also the perfect base if you’re looking to take day trips to visit some iconic sights in Italy, such as Venice and Verona.
I have walking difficulties, is a holiday in Lake Garda suitable?
Although surrounded by mountains, it’s relatively easy to explore Lake Garda as most of the town centres are flat. However, the excursions involve periods of walking, standing, plus travel by boat, and Riva, Malcesine and Limone do have some cobbled streets and hilly areas. Therefore, a reasonable degree of health and mobility is required. For all our tours we have an activity level guide to help you decide which holiday suits you best. For specific advice regarding our guided Lake Garda tours and to discuss any special needs, please contact us directly and we will be happy to assist.
Can you give a brief history of Lake Garda?
Lake Garda has an interesting history, as the lake is surrounded by mountains, it served as a strategic and military location. During Roman times it was known as 'Benacus' and they established several settlements, including the spa town of Sirmione. In 268 the Battle of Lake Benacus took place, where the Romans defeated the Germanic tribe of Alamanni. After the fall of the Roman Empire, around the 5th century the Lombards occupied Lake Garda, followed by the Franks of Charlemagne, eventually it fell under the control of the Venetian Republic from 1405 until 1797, when their rule collapsed to Napoleon Bonaparte. Another historical battle took place close to Lake Garda, the 'Battle of Rivoli' in 1797, where Napoleon's troops fought successfully against the Hapsburg army. After being under French rule for a very short period, following the decline of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna in 1815 the eastern part of Lake Garda was given to the Austrian Empire until the unification of Italy in 1861. During Benito Mussolini's rule between 1922 and 1943, Lake Garda saw significant development with the construction of roads, hotels and facilities to help with attracting more tourists to the region; Mussolini even owned villa in the town of Salò. After the fall of Mussolini's government during WW2, Italy's ally Nazi Germany helped to form the short lived Italian Social Republic, where Salò was its de facto capital and the Lake Garda villa was used as the headquarters from 1943 to 1945.
Lake Garda Travel Information
- For up-to-date information regarding entry into Italy please see: www.dfa.ie
- Official Italian Tourism Board: www.italia.it
